Narrative tense might sound like a small detail, but it’s one of the elements of writing that helps your story make sense .  It tells readers when the action is happening—past, present, or future—and keeps them grounded in your story’s timeline. When your tense shifts without warning, it can confuse readers or make your writing feel choppy. Every writer struggles with tense consistency at some point, but it's something every writer can master with a little practice and awaren

Writers often face the delicate challenge of crafting stories that feel both surprising and inevitable. A well-timed twist or a big reveal in the final climax should shock the reader, not because it came from nowhere but because they realize—retrospectively—that it was always coming. This is the power of foreshadowing: the subtle placement of hints and clues that build suspense, reinforce themes, and prepare the reader for what lies ahead. Done well, foreshadowing isn't a tri

A novel's atmosphere—or emotional landscape—which colors every scene is also known as mood, and it’s one of the most effective tools a...

When readers dive into a novel, they’re not just seeking plot twists or compelling characters (though those are important!). They’re also...

Every editor, whether freelance or working with a team of editors at a publishing house, will have a slightly different process for editing and proofreading a book. For indie authors, this process will largely depend on what they have hired the editor to do. This blog post provides the what-it-looks-like snapshot of each key moment during editing (as I experience it with clients). Most of these moments should carry over, in a broad sense, to just about any editor you work wit

For writers navigating the often tricky terrain of revisions, a manuscript review can provide clear direction and feedback on how to...

Every write knows that a strong opening to their book is crucial for engaging readers. It's the first impression, the hook, that either...

Have you ever found yourself lost in the labyrinth of your own writing? Do your characters often run away with the plot? Are you staring...

In today's digital age, understanding the power of lead magnets and reader magnets can significantly help writers boost their marketing...

Limited vs. omniscient narration Third person narration is a literary style where the narrative is told from the perspective of a...

Formatting attributes of speech alongside action in fiction I've written about the basics of formatting dialogue here. This blog is a...

National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, is a great opportunity for writers to challenge themselves to write a 50,000-word novel in...

A query letter is a formal letter that a writer sends to literary agents or publishers to introduce themselves and their work with the...

by Morgan L. Busse Published November 6, 2018 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Genre: High fantasy, epic fantasy, young adult This is...

In this final post in the Elements of a Successful Book blog series, I'm talking reviews—what they are, different types, how to get them,...

Metadata feels like a nebulous term, and for many writers, it’s components seem hard to pin down. However, it’s vital that your book has...

You’ve written your book and edited the heck out of it, and you don’t want to deal with it anymore. Sounds about right? But then you...

Book titles and subtitles feel pretty basic—every book has a title (at least), and I don’t think it’s controversial to say that your book...

If you think no one is judging books by their covers, then you’d be wrong about this oft-underutilized aspect of book marketing. The book cover and spine or the book cover thumbnail will be the first aspects of your book that catch a potential reader’s attention. It’s pivotal that your book cover is professional and that the cover image file is sized appropriately. The last thing you want, before you even consider all of the other implications for book cover design, is a grai

(And why they have nothing to do with editing.) Whether you’re a writer or an editor, putting yourself and your writing in front of...